‘Fast and Furious 9’ Release Date Pushed Back Six Weeks

It’s the second backwards shift for the title. In 2017, Universal moved the film back a year from April 19, 2019, to April 10, 2020. Both dates fall on Easter weekend.

The move, announced Friday, leaves April 10, 2020, without a title for now — although MGM also announced a few minutes later that it would open Bond 25 on April 8, 2002. In its new slot, “Fast and Furious 9” will face Warner Bros./Legendary’s “Godzilla vs. Kong” and Paramount’s “The Spongebob Movie.”

The eight films in the franchise, launched in 2001, have collectively grossed more than $5 billion worldwide. “Furious 7,” which featured the late Paul Walker’s final appearance, is the top performer, having hauled $1.5 billion globally.

The first spinoff title, “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” hits theaters on Aug. 2. The film pairs Johnson’s former U.S. Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs and Statham’s ex-MI6 agent Deckard Shaw, joining forces to take on Idris Elba’s international terrorist Brixton. The first trailer was released on Feb. 1.